Baldy Posted January 4, 2019 Share Posted January 4, 2019 Not a new build but one from 2017 which I have repaired and cleaned after a sortie to Telford. This is my 1/48 model of Spitfire PR Mk.XIX RM633, flown by Sqn Leader Saffery, CO of 541 Squadron, RAF Benson on 15 June 1944 as related in his story told in Spitfire at War:2 by Alfred Price. RM633 was one of the initial 25 PR Mk.XIXs built with no cabin pressurisation. Saffery was tasked with photographing a target in the Ruhr. Saffery had decided to wear a new ‘pressure waistcoat’ which was designed to help the pilot to get sufficient oxygen into the lungs at height. The new waistcoat didn’t have the correct attachment for the dinghy pack so he tied the dinghy lead to the leg strap of the waistcoat. He commented to the ground crewman who helped him strap in “Anyway, it’s only a short sea crossing”. After take off and reaching 30,000ft, he was soon crossing the North Foreland (the Eastern end of Thanet, Kent to the uninitiated) when the aircraft developed a problem - oil pressure was lost and the constant speed propeller control mechanism failed. Calling Manston, he turned to return and began to glide. Unfortunately, although he could see the coast (Manston is right on the coast), he could not get there and bailed out about 8 miles off the coast. Unfortunately, although he managed to inflate his dinghy and the waistcoat, the dinghy pack, including sail, paddle, rations and signal flares/rockets were lost - probably due to the incorrect attachment of the lead. This was at approximately 06:30. Despite having seen numerous aircraft, clearly looking for him, plus ships and boats, nobody spotted the tiny dinghy all through the day and he had no effective way of signalling. As dusk fell, Saffery donned a small skull cap which was part of the pressure waistcoat pack. This had a small flashing light on the top and it was only then that he was finally spotted by an MTB on patrol. Saffery was lucky because the channel is still very cold at this time of year and he would likely have drifted out further into the channel and up into the North Sea and oblivion. The morals of the story are that, even if you are the gaffer, you should use the correct equipment, don’t take it for granted that a short sea crossing means it is safe - and don’t make smart bottom “famous last words” comments which will inevitably come back to haunt! Airfix kit with a few modifications - Removal of the compressor unit from the starboard nose area. Scribing a cockpit door (the first 25 PR MkXIXs had doors - later pressurised Mk.XIXs didn’t). Replacement of the poor U/C legs with spare Eduard units and replacement of the wheels with 4 spoke wheels which at least some of the first 25 PR MkXIXs had (the kit wheels were also poor) Replacement fishtail exhausts. Decals - well there were not too many required - I purloined a few stencils from here and there and used the national markings from Xtradecal sheet X48118. The visible serial was by rearranging the Xtradecal serial. The overall PRU Blue was Xtracrylics and the “Invasion” stripes were masked and sprayed with Tamiya XF-2 and X-18. The stripes covered most of the serial, based on the picture of a sister PR Mk.XIX in the book. Cheers Malcolm 49 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammy da fish Posted January 4, 2019 Share Posted January 4, 2019 Very nice indeed well done a true inspiration to all. Thank you for letting us all have a view. simon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retired Bob Posted January 4, 2019 Share Posted January 4, 2019 Nice looking Spit, always looks good in PRU blue. Bob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan_RAFBC Posted January 4, 2019 Share Posted January 4, 2019 Very, very nice. Well done 👍🏻 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Delta 210 Posted January 4, 2019 Share Posted January 4, 2019 Beautiful model and a fascinating story. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMCS Posted January 4, 2019 Share Posted January 4, 2019 Love it 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire31 Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 That's a PR Mk XIX to be proud of. Great model and a good story, too! Kind regards, Joachim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 Sweet! Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Sherratt Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 Very. Ice work there - like that a lot. John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearmatt Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 Great looking Spit! Cheers b. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank083 Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 Very nice Spit’! Looks awesome with that PRU blue color! Bravo! Frank 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ c Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 Very cool Spitfire there Malcolm, really nice work 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 Beautiful, the best looking Spitfire version, 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadgaddad Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 That's first class work, Baldy. A blue XIX with stripes is very hard to beat. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted January 9, 2019 Share Posted January 9, 2019 That's a lovely piece of work, very nicely done 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickydicky210 Posted January 9, 2019 Share Posted January 9, 2019 Fantastic build 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAG058 Posted January 9, 2019 Share Posted January 9, 2019 Great work! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev The Modeller Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 Absolutely stunning I'm just in ore of the pilots that flew these aircraft. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazza l Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 Beautiful work, a great looking Spitfire. A wise decision to get a replacement set of undercarriage, my mk XIX's have bent like bananas! gazza l 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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